Consider Your Personality
A successful career depends on more than just hard skills or interest in the subject matter. Your personality can also play a major role. Choosing a career that matches your personality type can help you find happiness in the workplace.
According to a report by ABC Life Australia, different personalities tend to work better in certain careers. For instance, people with social personality traits thrive in careers that require a lot of interaction with others. Customer-focused jobs, such as those in retail or service industries, are great for these types of personalities.
Take A Career Test
If you’re not sure what kind of career interests you, take a free online career test. For example, this quick assessment measures your strengths in six career areas developed by John Holland: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional (RIASEC). It also identifies your most prominent core values.
Do Your Research
As you begin whittling down your list of possible careers, take the time to research each one. Using websites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or sites that provide salary information such as Glassdoor will help you gain a better understanding of what the career might entail. It is also important to know how much education and training may be necessary for a particular occupation. This will help you determine how long it might take to make the transition from student to practitioner and also helps you estimate costs as you start budgeting for college and managing your finances.
Ask For Advice
Take a day to sit down and write out your priorities. You can find some great resources online that will help you evaluate your options. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides information on jobs, including salary and requirements, that can help you determine if they might be the right fit for your career goals.
Marcus is a journalist and urban enthusiast specializing in nightlife, food culture, and emerging creative scenes. He enjoys capturing the essence of city life through its people and places.
